Event Suite – A Reflection of Changing Attitudes
Many of our locations are getting a facelift. Not just a new coat of paint or new carpet like most funeral homes, but changes that TRANSFORM the facilities so real celebrations of life can take place.
Here is one example. Our Carmel (Indiana) funeral center now has a baby grand piano in its spacious lobby. The old “family room” in the chapel is now a “bistro” with tables for serving food and drink. We call this our Event Suite approach, which is “a flexible celebration space for any event or gathering.”
Washington Park North Canal Room
Our client families are asking for more service options, especially when cremation is involved. Flanner and Buchanan is dedicated to serving every need that families have when a death occurs. We are improving every aspect of our business, from the transfer team that picks up the deceased, to the event space where a celebration of life can occur.
At our Washington Park North location we went even further. We removed a large casket display room and converted the space into an Event Suite. Clients will now be able to choose from three distinctive different rooms. One of the spaces, The Garden Room, even offers an outdoor courtyard option.
Bruce Buchanan is co-owner of Flanner and Buchanan and also Buchanan Group, Inc. Bruce focuses on communications and customer experience issues for the company. He spent fifteen years in the communications field, including ten years as owner of his own business, after completing his Master’s Degree in Journalism at Ohio University in 1982.
Poster Adults!
Last July, Julie and Tim Sherer from St. Monica parish took care of their funeral arrangements through us here at Our Lady of Peace, along with an Abbey casket from St. Meinrad. In 1997 they had put their cemetery arrangements in place. They were raising a family and had only lived in the Indianapolis area for a few years when they made those cemetery arrangements...in their late 30s!
After getting beyond some of the other expenses of life, such as education, weddings, etc., they decided they had put off arranging the funeral side of things long enough. When they completed the funeral side, they were now in their early 50s. Sorry Tim and Julie, if I let a cat out of the bag!
Tim and Julie are a great example of dealing with something that has to be dealt with, sooner rather than later.
They have secured the peace of mind for themselves and their family, which comes with planning the inevitable, ahead of time. On the business side, they have guaranteed their prices now, opposed to what they will be if they live several decades longer.
Tim and Julie pretty much have it down to a phone call being made to put things in motion. That’s as good as it gets.
Don Masten is the manager of Our Lady of Peace Cemetery on the north side of Indianapolis. Don is also a Family Service Advisor and has been assisting families with their cemetery and funeral arrangements for over 17 years.
A Brotherly Salute
Carson Smith, a very traditional kind of guy, knew that his younger unconventional brother Robin deserved a send-off that reflected how he lived. He asked Flanner and Buchanan’s staff to create one for him.
Dressed in modest Harley wear, Carson welcomed more than three hundred of “Robo’s” (Robin’s) friends to his memorial service. Setting the mood for the memorial event was not any easy task but was accomplished with the assistance of family, friends and the Flanner and Buchanan team. Everything went off like clockwork.
To accomplish its goal our team transformed our entire Broad Ripple facility; complete with full buffet and bar. Robo’s Harley collection was displayed on chairs, stairs, and tables throughout the building. From shirts to mugs, friends were encouraged to take a piece of Robo with them as they left. Three hours of continuous hugs, laughter and stories ensued. Rarely, have I enjoyed myself so much.
Yes, I said enjoyed. From 8 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. Carson, Robo’s older conservative brother, set the tone for everyone in attendance. I emphasize that point because Carson stepped out way beyond his own grief with the assistance of funeral director Andy Clayton, the Flanner and Buchanan team, and his family. Carson shared stories of Robin as a younger brother, as a college misfit, and as an unconventional community spirit.
Over several hours Carson opened the microphone to family and friends to learned how much “Robo” had impacted people’s lives. I was one of those people and as I listened, I could feel “Robo” grinning and nodding from above - still dressed in his Harley leather. Carson certainly received a gift from the unique cast of characters gathered at the event. He learned that his brother fully respected and loved him. Carson repeatedly heard that “Robo” valued his opinion and counted on him to be there if and when he needed him. Flanner and Buchanan had helped Carson say good-bye to his parents and now good-bye to his only brother. I believe he’s come to view Andy Clayton as an extension of his own family.
Thanks to everyone for helping me say good-bye!
Author – Barb Milton is the Vice President of Community Relations for Buchanan Group, Inc. Barb’s extensive industry background makes her a preferred guest speaker throughout the country regarding final expense decisions.
Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers
Funeral to a Wedding, Wedding to a Funeral
I have an interesting story to share. I was speaking to a prospective bride recently about performing her wedding at the Community Life Center at Washington Park East Cemetery. I came to learn from her that our Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center at Washington Park East happened to host the funeral for her father. That event helped motivate her to attend our bridal show this past February, where we met at my Celebrant wedding booth.
The upshot here is that she decided to have her wedding with us and I will be conducting it as celebrant.
Her experience of coming to Washington Park East for her father’s funeral, seeing the facility and meeting our people, showed her the complete value of what we have to offer. It is rewarding to see our customers go full circle from funeral to wedding and wedding to funeral. Of course we believe it is only natural.
Michael Neff is a funeral director for Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers. He is also a trained celebrant, officiating at both weddings and funerals.
When is a Party not a Funeral?
Not long ago a woman walked in wanting information on cremation. I took her into the front office to sit down and talk. I asked her what type of cremation service we could provide her. She answered that she was following her husband’s wishes; he did not want a funeral. All he wanted was to be cremated, have a party, then have his ashes spread in the ocean.
I presented her with some options; I actually started with our direct cremation fee, explaining what was involved. I then presented our memorial service package. She immediately stopped me, because, as she had told me earlier, he did not want a service.
My response was; “No, but he does want a party.” I asked if she had priced out how much it would cost for a party at some of the event places here in Carmel. With little hesitation she asked to see our facilities. We were remodeling our western event space into a multi-use bistro at the time, so I asked to envision what it would be. She walked around, looked over the room and said she needed to think about it.
We went back to the office where she asked several questions. We compared charges for direct cremation and memorial service packages. After a little time, she opted for the memorial service package. She then decided she wanted to look at urns.
Author - Jerry Roberts is a funeral director and the manager of Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers - Carmel. He has led many of the company’s cremation service initiatives during his 28-year tenure with Flanner and Buchanan.
Don’t Worry About the Weather
As the rain hammered the roof, I couldn't help reflecting on the families who are having funeral services today. I imagined a surviving spouse panicked about their family’s cemetery services and confused by alternative options their family might need to make.
So I thought I’d jot a quick note to reassure our readers that every day we are prepared to adapt to the weather. Our staff, much like local mail carriers, performs their services in all kinds of weather. In the spring they are able to work through heavy to moderate rain. Summer brings intense heat. Fall ushers in blustery winds and, of course, winter in Indiana has all mixtures and levels of snow, sleet and ice.
Each morning our cemetery grounds team advises our funeral staff on issues that might cause an inconvenience to our families coming to the park that day. Together they help reach a workable solution and your funeral director will call with suggestions before your service.
In any case, our team will be there to help your family for peace of mind and safety. If you are having a graveside service at one of our traditional cemeteries we will generally have a large tent assembled for your service. This tent can be modified to address issues of rain, snow, or wind. Artificial grass carpeting will be placed around the grave to protect your guests from the excessive moisture or cold ground during the service. The director may encourage your family and friends to gather closer together to shelter them from the wind or cold. The grounds team will advise your funeral professionals with the best route to approach the burial section if there has been excessive rain or ice. On occasion, and for the safety of your guests and our staff, formal services may be moved inside to an adjacent cemetery facility. If there is enough advance notice, we can also provide internet transmission of the services for your family’s convenience if they cannot be there for the service due to health or distance.
This is Indiana and the weather can change quickly. If there are severe weather alerts or warnings issued, our staff will adjust service needs with you and your guests’ safety in mind. Please dress appropriately for the weather and trust us to handle the rest.
Author – Barb Milton is the Vice President of Community Relations for Buchanan Group, Inc. Barb’s extensive industry background makes her a preferred guest speaker throughout the country regarding final expense decisions.
Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers
This is How a Funeral Should Be
I recently had the honor and privilege to serve the family of a well-known basketball coach. This man first developed a reputation in high school as a player, then later as a coach in college. Our relationship began weeks before his death with a phone inquiry late on a Saturday afternoon.
As with most high-profile individuals there are high expectations for the service as well.
I had about two weeks to plan the funeral with his family. I learned that they weren’t looking for a big production, but a tribute to the full life their father had lived. I encouraged the family to take control and tell me what would be meaningful. We looked at various locations, times, and scenarios, but in the end “the kid from the old working class eastside of Indy” as his son stated, would have wanted a low-key church service.
During the funeral, as people spoke of the “fierce competitor” who was respected and adored by many, they were quick to remind all about his humor and humility; traits I know the family were aware of, but needed to hear; the confirmation of a life well lived.
In the end, after the eulogies and hymns, after the hugs, handshakes, and stories reminisced, we took “the coach” to a quiet little spot in the country and laid him to rest. After all the warm accolades from the family for our time, concern, care, encouragement and patience with them, all I could think about was how “this is how a funeral should be.”
A few days later, I met with the son to deliver the death certificates. We laughed about several things from his dad’s life and even commiserated about our struggling Boston Red Sox. As we parted ways, he and his wife shared with me their joy about his funeral; he said that it was the first time he had even felt happy after an event such as this.
Andy Clayton is a funeral director and is manager of Flanner and Buchanan – Zionsville. He has been helping families tell their stories since he joined the company in 1989.
“I want a Cremation” is Just the Starting Point
Several times a week I am given the opportunity to assist families who have had a loss. Part of my responsibility is to see that the service they want and expect is carried out. The only way to uncover their needs is to ask. So often, when I ask what type of service they want, the answer I get is cremation.
Unfortunately, cremation is not an answer, but rather the building block; the foundation of where their service begins. In technical terms, cremation is just a form of final disposition.
As cremation becomes more popular, Flanner and Buchanan is becoming more flexible to meet the needs of their clientele. Rather than a “funeral,” perhaps you lean toward something more celebratory; we can accommodate that. Rather than a “visitation,” you might prefer more of an open house feeling; we can do that as well.
Many of our facilities have spaces that are evolving into event suites, complete with catering and bar service. If a traditional/formal service is not your style, please know that we are ever changing to meet the needs of the people we serve.
Author - Jerry Roberts is a funeral director and the manager of Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers - Carmel. He has led many of the company’s cremation service initiatives during his 28-year tenure with Flanner and Buchanan.